Traveling from Amboy to Jamaica covers 274 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 37 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $45 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 to navigate through the Northeast. It is a straightforward trip designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing, making it ideal if your main goal is simply getting from point A to point B. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this direct path keeps your transit time predictable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
137 miles from Amboy, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
128.7 mi
2h 32m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Cross Bronx Expressway
4.4 mi
5m
Van Wyck Expressway
4.3 mi
6m
I 690
4.1 mi
5m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amboy, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on Airport Road
73 ft·6 sec·Airport Road
2
Turn left onto NY 173
0.8 mi·1 min·Warners Road
3
Turn right onto Hinsdale Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Hinsdale Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NY 5 East
5
Merge onto NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·NY 5
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward NY 695 North
7
Continue on NY 695
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 695
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·56 sec
Toward I 690 East
9
Merge onto I 690
4.1 mi·5 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 81 South: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 81
2.8 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
13
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
19
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
25
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
27
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
28
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
30
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
32
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
34
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
37
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
38
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
4.3 mi·6 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy AirportUse the slight left lane.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
41
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
42
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
43
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
44
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Inwood Street
45
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft·2 sec·Tuskegee Airmen Way
46
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
Since this is a 274-mile trek, planning for at least one dedicated stop is essential to keep your energy levels up during the 5-hour and 37-minute drive. You have the flexibility to complete this in one day, but timing your departure to avoid peak traffic near your destination will make the final leg of the trip much smoother. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 128.7-mile stretch on I-81 where you want to be mindful of your stops. Because the route is highway-heavy, try to synchronize your break with a planned refueling stop to maximize your efficiency. Staying alert on these long interstate segments is the best way to ensure a safe arrival in Jamaica.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137 miles from Amboy, NY, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 60 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamaica, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Amboy, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amboy, NY
This is one driving day of about 274 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Amboy, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 128.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 138.7 and 272.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
253.2 mi into trip|~5h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
253.5 mi into trip|~5h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
262.7 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
9
272.5 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.10 one way
$90.20 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$48.77
$97.54
premium
$4.92
$53.11
$106.21
diesel
$5.61
$60.50
$120.99
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Efficient EV
68.5
0
$23.97
$10.96
EV Truck/SUV
109.6
1
$38.36
$17.54
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Amboy, NY
Late night
in Amboy on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Late night
in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
49°F
Ramapo, NY
137 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
38 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 255.1
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 255.1
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 255.1
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 255.1
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 274
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 255.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by heavy interstate travel, as highways account for 65% of your total mileage. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-81, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 128.7 miles. This infrastructure makes for a consistent, fast-paced experience that requires steady focus behind the wheel. As you transition between I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380, the character of the drive remains largely functional and interstate-oriented. While the landscape shifts as you cross from upstate New York down toward the Jamaica area, the road itself remains focused on high-speed efficiency.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 138.7 miles in near US 6.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 33 significant decision points across 274 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 138.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Amboy, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
Jamaica is an expansive neighborhood located in eastern Queens. Historically consisting of predominantly black communities, Jamaica now is home to an extremely diverse array of peoples and cultures.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 274 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.55 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Jamaica, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 138.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jamaica, NY before the return drive.
